Romans 14:22-23 “The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is the one who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But the one who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.”
Many moons ago I was standing in a circle with some great Brothers. The pastor was one of them. They were all looking terrific in some great suits. It was just after the Sunday morning service. The topic switched to how they wear their suits because they want to wear their best for God. All of them agreed. All these brothers (whom I still dearly love and respect) then focused their attention to what I thought about the subject. I kind of felt that, with their best attentions, I was set up. They were doing a type of intervention (Ha! I love them bless their souls.) You see I did not wear suits. In fact, I didn’t own a suit. It was not a matter of sartorial preference (though I am most comfortable in casual attire) but a matter of finances. Plainly said, I could not afford a suit.
When asked what I thought, I replied “Let me first ask a question. I knew these men were all solid men of God who read the Word and prayed. I asked “When you go ‘number 2,’ as you are sitting there, are you sometimes praying to God?” My question drew smiles and laughs but they replied “Sure, sometimes.” I then said to them “So do I. And I figure that if I can talk to God while doing that, I didn’t figure that He minds too much if I wear a suit or not.” They looked at me for a second, maybe trying to figure out if I was serious. Knowing that I was they nodded their heads showing that the understood what I had said.
Now I think that a person ought to attend church in a way that does not offend their own conscious. If you can afford a suit, and think you should wear one to church, then I think you should or you are sinning. Why, because “whatever is not from faith is sin.” (Romans 14:23) If one does thinks that something is a sin and does it anyway, then it is a sin. Essentially, for that person, it is rebellion. So if one thinks that they should honor God by wearing a suit to church, then that they must do. Even though there is nothing in His Word that says so. Romans 14:22 states that “The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is the one who does not condemn himself in what he approves.”
I do advise that however one dresses that modesty be a guide. We are our “Brother’s Keepers.” Here are a couple verses from the Word to use as a guideline. They are not guidance from men, but from God. If you disagree, you argue not with me but with God Himself. 1 Timothy 2:9 “Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire.” Deuteronomy 22:5 “A woman shall not wear a man’s garment, nor shall a man put on a woman’s cloak, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord your God.” Now I know that the first verse seem pointed at women, but men should follow the same principle just as Deuteronomy applies the principle to both. Following these principles, dress in the manner that you think you ought to. We are not slaves to do’s and don’ts but are slaves to Jesus who came to free us. (Galatians 5:1) And Jesus came to set us free, not to sin, but live a life of freedom as we live in the Spirit. And the Spirit does not lead us to sin. We are completely free to live as we desire as long as we live by the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” So live free, wear a suit or don’t wear a suit, just be sure to wear a spirit that loves and honors God. (Galatians 5:25) He is good and He loves us. Praise the Lord!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will Hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown you, Oh man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.